Originally posted by kar He has a brilliant corporate image. Probably a very attractive one. After all he ought to when his whole image has been carefully crafted for it. But what appeals to companies and to real world people aren't always the same.

What Reebok see as a text book image to associate themselves with, others see as increasingly shallow, contrived and boring.

Time will tell though. Either way, his build up to the British Grand Prix has been as hectic as any he's had testing last week, he's met with Nelson Mandela 3 times in four days, he had that infamous sailing trip where he was left dehydrated, exhausted (and didn't sleep that day). He's had media engagements, McLaren sponsor engagements and of course now this reekbok thing in Amsterdam.

It's worth £10M over five years for 50 days work (10 per year). Really when he's making 75M from McLaren, living in tax exile, does he really need extra money? Why?

Why not take that 10 days per year for himself? When you're that rich, operating with precious spare time as it is, why on earth do you need more?

And this is my biggest problem with Hamilton, or at least my perception of him and the way his 'brand' is being managed. It seems all about the money... His image handcrafted, shallow, cynical, contrived. It's all about presenting himself to companies not to fans. He's so image concious, his dad is so financially concious. It makes it hard to take him at face value as a racer. He's not a racer, he's a product.

"He has several times this year made reference to his ‘image’, clearly worrying about how he comes across.The sponsors love this part of him, delight in the fact that he takes time and effort to project himself as well as he can during the filming of an ad. But it’s a characteristic that can detract from his main job, that of driving the car to the limit of his immense ability.

and

Worrying about what the press is writing about him, or how he looks on an ad, or whether he is presenting a ‘cool’ enough image for his fans is all just a nonsense.

It reflects the fact that he’s still young and inexperienced, and that hyper-stardom has arrived very, very suddenly for him.

Make no mistake, every driver is selling himself and to a certain extent each of them are "a product" or a "brand". But with other drivers you just don't get the feeling that their "public image" is the main priority or concern for them. But with Lewis you do have the feeling his every move is calculated and is to serve the "cool" image that he and his sponsors imagine for him. That's why so many people say of him he looks corporate and artificial.

Also the hectic of the past two weeks - I would be worried if I was Ron Dennis and I would certainly try to stop him or at least reduce the PR obligations he has. Of course, part of those are Lewis' own doing (Reebok or the Mandela party), so maybe McLaren ask themselves why should "we" reduce his obligations when he is adding his own stuff to his calendar?

I will be interested in how long he can take it. In the past few days he certaily looked tired to me.

Originally posted by kar he had that infamous sailing trip where he was left dehydrated, exhausted (and didn't sleep that day). He's had media engagements, McLaren sponsor engagements and of course now this reekbok thing in Amsterdam.

Dehydrated? exhausted? didn't get sleep? what an angel you are being so concerned for Lewis...

From what Ed Gorman reported Lewis had a great experience on that boat (and by the looks of the video he did very well for a first timer). And I'm sure later on he got plenty of sleep.

And a flight to Amsterdam from the UK... that must be soooo exhausting... One wonders how those business travellers and financial services consultants in Europe cope with all the flying and their meetings.

Dehydrated? exhausted? didn't get sleep? what an angel you are being so concerned for Lewis...

From what Ed Gorman reported Lewis had a great experience on that boat (and by the looks of the video he did very well for a first timer). And I'm sure later on he got plenty of sleep.

And a flight to Amsterdam from the UK... that must be soooo exhausting... One wonders how those business travellers and financial services consultants in Europe cope with all the flying and their meetings.

He is, after all, only 23. He admittedly delivered a slick, tiredness-free performance in Amsterdam.

However, even some of Hamilton's inner circle wonder whether Saturday's sailing commitment was a trip too far.

He arrived with little or no sleep to take an active part on board for five hours in a hostile marine environment, steering the boat and manning the winch, an exhausting task even for an athlete of Hamilton's fitness.

He was left dehydrated. None of his title rivals - leader Felipe Massa, world champion Kimi Raikkonen and third-placed Robert Kubica - have mixed so many PR calls and the red carpet with their track commitments.

No, but you do need extra concentration and mental focus. Things which tend to suffer if you spend all day on a boat getting dehydrated and no sleep a few days before a Grand Prix.

I don't think the main issue is the money. It's not just Lewis who is living in a tax exile. There are better paid drivers living there as well and it also doesn't have anything to do with the number of titles they have (there are non-WDCs living in Switzerland or Monaco). It's human nature that you want more, more, more - whether it's success or money.

The only strange thing I found about Lewis' staying in Switzerland that meanwhile he complained he feels lonely there. Other drivers have their families with them, but Lewis lives there alone and apparently he is suffering because of that. Anyway it's his business, I won't feel sorry for him, nor criticize him for this. He can make up his mind whether he wants to live with his family and pay a bit more tax back in Britain or the other way around.

I don't think the main issue is the money. It's not just Lewis who is living in a tax exile. There are better paid drivers living there as well and it also doesn't have anything to do with the number of titles they have (there are non-WDCs living in Switzerland or Monaco). It's human nature that you want more, more, more - whether it's success or money.

The only strange thing I found about Lewis' staying in Switzerland that meanwhile he complained he feels lonely there. Other drivers have their families with them, but Lewis lives there alone and apparently he is suffering because of that. Anyway it's his business, I won't feel sorry for him, nor criticize him for this. He can make up his mind whether he wants to live with his family and pay a bit more tax back in Britain or the other way around.

To be fair, he'd pay not just a 'bit more' tax in Britain. He would pay a rude amount more. In that respect I don't blame him for not living here. This country really ought to liberalise the non-dom situation. Better taking some money from these guys than nothing at all.

this whole dehydration thing is an invention of the daily mail. Was he taken away with an ambulance and infuse? Was there a doctor around who declared him "dehydrated"? Did Lewis himself say that he was dehydrated??

http://www.timesonli...icle4241889.eceHe didn't look very dehydrated in the end, did he? In fact it looked like he had a blast, and did extremely well. And the whole fuss about the crash... he just happened to be a guest on that boat.

We are privileged to have obtained access to a small portion of Lewis Hamilton's diary:

Wednesday. Wow, this is like, so going to be a good week. I mean, there are two of me now, what could be better? Well, three of course, but better not say anything too publicly – those b***** journos are bound to start saying that I’m not concentrating on the essentials. As if they know anything. Michael Schumacher didn’t get to be a seven times World Champion by concentrating on the team and his driving. Well, he did, but then he probably wasn’t as multi-faceted/talented as me. I bet he hasn’t got a hologram double.

I asked if I could take second “me” away with me but the Reebok people said something about the equipment weighing several tons. I think that means I can’t get it in the back of the Merc. Shame really. That way I could date the chicks I fancy at the same time as “I” meet other people who are making news headlines like me – the Pope and Nelson Mandela for example – but who aren’t as cool as me. They’re both getting on a bit so probably wouldn’t notice the difference.

Matt’s just been on the phone suggesting I should try and be a little more low profile before the weekend. I told him straight – “Iisten up, this is Lewis you’re talking to (when you’re a household name like me you only need one name), nothing can crush my spirit or come between me and my destiny. I can win all ten remaining races this season. Or one of me can. “ That shut him up, apart from a sort of strangled moan.

this whole dehydration thing is an invention of the daily mail. Was he taken away with an ambulance and infuse? Was there a doctor around who declared him "dehydrated"? Did Lewis himself say that he was dehydrated??

http://www.timesonli...icle4241889.eceHe didn't look very dehydrated in the end, did he? In fact it looked like he had a blast, and did extremely well. And the whole fuss about the crash... he just happened to be a guest on that boat.

Originally posted by kar Either way, his build up to the British Grand Prix has been as hectic as any he's had testing last week, he's met with Nelson Mandela 3 times in four days, he had that infamous sailing trip where he was left dehydrated, exhausted (and didn't sleep that day). He's had media engagements, McLaren sponsor engagements and of course now this reekbok thing in Amsterdam.

I saw a couple of grabs from Lewis's Reebok media session in Amsterdam last night and he appeared to have a fat upper lip with a small bandage afixed just below his left nostril. Was he hurt in that sailing trip or did he get a bit sunburned at sea? Can anyone shed any light on this?

IMO Lewis should make as much money as he can but if his driving begins to suffer (some say it already has) then he'll be the one having to decide whether or not to cut back on his promotional appearances/stunts. Its up to himself (or is his dad calling all the shots?) what he does.

I saw a couple of grabs from Lewis's Reebok media session in Amsterdam last night and he appeared to have a fat upper lip with a small bandage afixed just below his left nostril. Was he hurt in that sailing trip or did he get a bit sunburned at sea? Can anyone shed any light on this?

you'd be surprised how many products you yourself and your friends and family wear and consume that come from sweatshops, and that are produced in unfavorable labor conditions.

The products themselves are always clean and nice smelling, so I'd say the working conditions can't be that bad. Or else it would be all too apparent in the finished product.

The pay, and the quality of life outside the factories, perhaps. But then would you work 10 hours a day for low pay, or starve at no pay? Easy judgement for most human beings to make, except perhaps delusional retards who have never been in hardship, go through school and university living off daddy/mommies money, and think poverty can be made "history" by attending some music concerts.

Originally posted by primer The pay, and the quality of life outside the factories, perhaps. But then would you work 10 hours a day for low pay, or starve at no pay? Easy judgement for most human beings to make, except perhaps delusional retards who have never been in hardship, go through school and university living off daddy/mommies money, and think poverty can be made "history" by attending some music concerts.

Why would people who live off their parents money need to choose between an appalling job or starvation?

Hamilton's marketing value will falling down dramatically, if he doesn't stop talking.
I think it's awful, it's boring and most of the time he is talking bollocks.
Yes he is a young man and he will learn life, but it seems that he simply HAS to talk every hour and every day.
And most of the time he is talking about how great is he, how great form he has, how will he win the next race, why is he so damn quick, why he doesn't bother about mistakes and penaltie, how he will overcome hard situations how he can adopting so well to the bumpy canadian circuit etcetc....I really like his driving it's looking amazing all the time but these talkings are utter stupidity.
Ron should tell him to stop the talking and do the driving instead.

Originally posted by Levike Hamilton's marketing value will falling down dramatically, if he doesn't stop talking.I think it's awful, it's boring and most of the time he is talking bollocks.Yes he is a young man and he will learn life, but it seems that he simply HAS to talk every hour and every day.And most of the time he is talking about how great is he, how great form he has, how will he win the next race, why is he so damn quick, why he doesn't bother about mistakes and penaltie, how he will overcome hard situations how he can adopting so well to the bumpy canadian circuit etcetc....I really like his driving it's looking amazing all the time but these talkings are utter stupidity.Ron should tell him to stop the talking and do the driving instead.

mmm, it clearly hasn't dawned on you that he's talking because someone's asked him to? I mean, he doesn;t just appear out of nowhere and start jabbering on, and find a journalist there to report what he says by co-incidence.

• In early 2006, Reebok was acquired by German sportswear giant, Adidas.

• In 2006, Reebok issued a voluntary recall of 300,000 charm bracelets in the U.S. and 145,000 in Ireland and the U.K. following reports that a child in Minneapolis died from lead poisoning after swallowing the jewelry, which has been given away with children's footwear since 2004. The bracelets were 99 percent lead.

• At a Turkish factory, workers claimed to received wages well below the poverty line, were required to put in 10 hour days, and were threatened that the factory would close if workers tried to unionize.

• At a factory in Honduras, the National Labor Committee reports that women sew approximately 4.4 jerseys per hour for which they are paid 19 cents per jersey--less than three tenths of one percent of the jersey's retail price, which is $75. Estimates claim that wages for a week of work will only cover 35 to 55 percent of the total weekly expenses for a family of three.

• You can find sportswear that doesn’t exploit people or the planet. Visit Go Green to learn how.

• In early 2006, Reebok was acquired by German sportswear giant, Adidas.

• In 2006, Reebok issued a voluntary recall of 300,000 charm bracelets in the U.S. and 145,000 in Ireland and the U.K. following reports that a child in Minneapolis died from lead poisoning after swallowing the jewelry, which has been given away with children's footwear since 2004. The bracelets were 99 percent lead.

• At a Turkish factory, workers claimed to received wages well below the poverty line, were required to put in 10 hour days, and were threatened that the factory would close if workers tried to unionize.

• At a factory in Honduras, the National Labor Committee reports that women sew approximately 4.4 jerseys per hour for which they are paid 19 cents per jersey--less than three tenths of one percent of the jersey's retail price, which is $75. Estimates claim that wages for a week of work will only cover 35 to 55 percent of the total weekly expenses for a family of three.

• You can find sportswear that doesn’t exploit people or the planet. Visit Go Green to learn how.

No you're just a hypocrite because you've suddenly become socially aware against a specific product because someone you don't like is associated with it. Your problem isn't with Reebok but with whoever teams up with Lewis Hamilton, which is completely missing the point you claim to be making.

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld No you're just a hypocrite because you've suddenly become socially aware against a specific product because someone you don't like is associated with it. Your problem isn't with Reebok but with whoever teams up with Lewis Hamilton, which is completely missing the point you claim to be making.

You are entitled to your opinion, by all means keep sticking up for the enslaving powers!

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld No you're just a hypocrite because you've suddenly become socially aware against a specific product because someone you don't like is associated with it. Your problem isn't with Reebok but with whoever teams up with Lewis Hamilton, which is completely missing the point you claim to be making.

mmm, it clearly hasn't dawned on you that he's talking because someone's asked him to? I mean, he doesn;t just appear out of nowhere and start jabbering on, and find a journalist there to report what he says by co-incidence.

Still you have to wonder how the other 21 guys manage to mostly avoid those nasty bubble-traps... In any case, compared to Lewis.

I don't buy the "because he's so famous" excuse. It's the same as with other celebrities, some are in the news all time and some not, and it's got not much to do with their fame, let alone ability. It's still their choice, you've got Paris Hilton and Lewis on one end of the scale and Harrison Ford and Kimi on the other end.;)

Hamilton has had certainly the most amazing rookie season in history. At the same time I've never seen a driver talk so much unadultered bollocks per number of words. Wonder what record will last longer...

Yeah, right... I see a bunch of reporters trying to speak to nakajima and he's just unavailable to talk...
Oh wait what about alonso in spain? and kubica in poland?
Yeah, those guys run away from the press...